One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is make candy. Once a year I pull out all my recipes and get to work, creating not only a gigantic mess, but about 4 or 5 different types of holiday candy. I love it. Peanut Brittle is among the favorites although I have to say, I probably enjoy making it the least. It's several steps and they all have to be done quickly and it just stresses me out! This year I stumbled upon a microwave peanut brittle recipe and oh how it's changed my life. Amazing! It's so incredibly easy- less than 10 minutes from start to finish!
I've decided there is a giant rainbow of acceptable shades of peanut brittle. From what I've seen, microwaving it results in a lighter color. I added some instructions for those of you who think peanut brittle should be browner in color. To each his or her own...
Microwave Peanut Brittle
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1 1/2 cups salted spanish peanuts
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
The order in which you add ingredients is the same, however the times will vary depending on how powerful your microwave oven is. Mine is 1500 watt, so that's the only one I've tested out myself, just FYI.
Before you do anything, assemble all of your ingredients and line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper. If you don't have any parchment paper, I really recommend buying some prior to making any candy as it just makes things so much easier. You can use foil sprayed with cooking spray as an alternative.
I made my brittle in an 8-cup glass measuring bowl. The original recipe said to use a 4-cup measuring cup, but my brittle boiled up to the 6 cup line, so I have no idea how others used a 4-cup! Use a large glass bowl at the very least.
I've always used Spanish peanuts for making peanut brittle. I know other people use roasted nuts or even cashews- again, use what you like!
Directions for a 1 kw {1000 watt} microwave oven and above
Step 1: Combine the sugar and corn syrup and stir. Microwave for 2 minutes, 30 seconds.
Step 2: Add nuts, stir and microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add in the vanilla and butter, stir. Microwave for an additional 2 minutes.
Note: If you prefer darker peanut brittle, microwave it for an additional minute.
Step 4: Add in baking soda, stirring quickly.
Step 5: Pour into prepared pan. Let sit until hard. Break pieces up with a kitchen mallet.
Directions for a 700 watt microwave oven to 950 watt oven
Step 1: Combine the sugar and corn syrup and stir. Microwave for 4 minutes
Step 2: Add nuts, stir and microwave for an additional 3 minutes.
Step 3: Add in the vanilla and butter, stir. Microwave for an additional 3 minutes.
Note: If you prefer darker peanut brittle, microwave it for an additional minute.
Step 4: Add in baking soda, stirring quickly.
Step 5: Pour into prepared pan. Let sit until hard. Break pieces up with a kitchen mallet.
To test brittle to make sure it's done, drop a small amount into a bowl of cold water. The candy will become hard and - you guessed it- brittle, when it's done. {see picture down below}
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| Step 1- combine sugar and corn syrup |
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| Spanish Peanuts MAKE peanut brittle in my opinion! |
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| Step 2: Add peanuts, stir |
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| Step 3: Add in butter and vanilla, stir |
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| You cook the candy in the MICROWAVE. |
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| Testing candy to make sure it's done. |
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| After you add the baking soda it really multiplies in volume. Stir quickly, then pour onto the parchment lined pan. |
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| Once it's cooled and hardened, use a kitchen mallet to break into pieces. |
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ENJOY! |
